Rolling mill



Jain. 21, 1969 K. s. o. FQRSBERG 3,422,654

ROLLING MILL Filed July 10, 1964 Sheet of 8 Fig. 10

Jan. 21, 1969 K. S. O. FORSBERG ROLLING MILL Filed July 10, 1964 Sheet 2 of8 ii Eiiiifi i ROLLING MILL Filed IJuly 10, 1964 Sheet Jan. 21, 1969 I Filed July 10, 1964 K. s. o. FORSBERG ROLLING MILL Sheet 4 018 Jan. 21, 1969 I 5, FORSBERG 3,422,654

ROLLING MILL Jan-H21; 1959 I K. s. o. FORSBERG 3,422,654

ROLLING MILL Filed July 10, 1964 Sheet 6 of a 2 1969 K. s. o. FORSBERG 3,422,654

ROLLING MILL Filed July 10, 1964 Sheet of a Jan. 21, 1969 K 5. o. FORSBERG ROLLING MILL Sheet Filed July 10, 1964 United States Patent 3,422,654 ROLLING MILL Karl Sten Olof Forsberg, Morgardshammar, Sweden, assignor to Morgardshammars Mek, Verkstads Aktiebolag, Morgardshammar, Sweden, a joint stock company of Sweden Filed July 10, 1964, Ser. No. 381,625 US. Cl. 72-228 Int. Cl. B21b 41/04, 41/10 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE This invention relates to a rolling mill possibly comprising a roughing mill, cooling bed and/or coiler means with associated auxiliary means.

The rolling mill technique of today is characterized by the desire to roll material of special qualities with a high production, at the same time as the orders are relatively small. Rolling mills with such a program heretofor had to roll in open looping mills which are of limited use when strips of small width or sections of smaller dimensions had to be rolled and when high production and high billet weights were required. The rolling mills for merchant iron had to roll substantially in continuous rolling mill which are characterized by high production but showing properties which are not as good with respect to surface finish and narrow tolerances.

This invention maintains the good properties of the open looping mills at the same time as it renders possible continuous rolling of strips and sections with high billet weights. The invention is of high flexibility and allows high production as in continuous rolling mills where even high billet weights may be used.

The invention is characterized by one or a plurality of finishing rolling mills comprising a suitable number of rolling mill stands preferably separately electrically operated and mounted continuously, preferably in rolling mill trains of at least two rolling mill stands, adapted for repeater rolling or continuous rolling in at least one pass line or in combination of repeater rolling and continuous rolling. The invention further is characterized in that the material can be finishing rolled in the pair of rolling mill stands most suitable for the rolled dimension in such a manner that the material can be directed on a run out roller table located preferably below the rolling mill stand and extending, for example, to a cooling bed or coiler, and that the material can be directed to coilers in pipes preferably placed below the rolling mill stands.

The motors are preferably driven with direct current, preferably from separate rectifiers.

The invention will be described in the following embodiments of the invention being shown on the accompanying drawings whereon,

FIG. 1a and FIG. 1b, taken together to constitute FIG. 1, show schematically the principal parts of one embodiment of a rolling mill plant according to the present invention, including in this view a roughing mill, a cooling bed and associated equipment;

FIG. 2 shows schematically a plan view of three rolling ice mill units and a run out roller table mounted according to the invention;

FIG. 3 shOWs schematically a side view of two rolling mill units and a run out roller table mounted according to the invention;

FIG. 4 shows schematically a transverse view of a rolling mill unit and a run out roller table mounted according to the invention;

FIG. 5 shows schematically a plan view of three rolling mill units mounted according to the invention;

FIG. 6 shows schematically a transverse view of a rolling mill unit mounted according to the invention;

FIG. 7 shows schematically a side view of two inclined rolling mill units according to the invention; and

FIG. 8 diagrammatically illustrates the circular line path taken by rolled material in the case of the assembly shown in FIG. 7, according to which the strand of material which has passed between rolls 52, 53 is translated in an arc which passes below the following stand.

Referring to the drawings, A designates a heating furnace B is a roughing mill, C a finishing rolling mill, D a crop shear, E a dividing shear, F are coilers, preferably for material of smaller diameter, G are rod coilers, H strip coilers, K is a hook conveyor, L a run-out roller table, M a cooling bed and P are guide pipes for wire rod coilers. The cooling bed M is provided with a cold shear roller table M for transporting the material to a cold shear (not shown) or directly to a conventional discharging device (not shown).

The complete rolling mill plant usually will further include, in the finishing rolling mill section C and positioned in the interval between FIG. la and FIG. 1b, a greater number of rolling mill stands than are represented in FIGS. la and lb, and likewise may include an additional crop shear similar to that represented at D. Thus, stands 9, 10 shown in FIG. la may be and usually are followed by a series of similar stands 11, 12 and 13, 14 as shown in FIG. 2, and further by a series of similar stands 15. 16 and 17, 18 as shown in FIG. 3.

In FIGS. la and lb, the flow line of material being processed is indicated by a dot-dash line S.

According to FIGS. 1a and 1b, a billet heated in a furnace A is rolled in a roughing mill B to desired dimension. For continued rolling to smaller dimension the hot bar is transferred from the roughing mill B to a finishing rolling mill plant C with a first rolling mill stand 2 from which the hot material is transferred below stand 4 through guide pipe and repeater (not shown in FIGS. 1a or 1b) to stand 3 and thereafter to stand 4 by means of a repeater (not shown in FIGS. 1a or 1b), and so on until the desired dimension is obtained, whereafter the finished material is transferred to a run out roller table L for delivery to cooling bed M. The material difficult to be transferred by means of guide pipes and repeaters is rolled in the pass line 2-4-6 and so On in a continuous manner. Material to be coiled is led via guide pipes P to wire rod coilers F when the material is of coarser dimension, or in the case of material of smaller dimension to wire rod coilers G, and When the material is strips to strip coilers H. From the coilers F, G, H the material is discharged to a hook conveyor K. Material transferred to the run out roller table L is divided in the dividing shear E to cooling bed lengths. The material having coo ing bed lengths are discharged in known manner to cooling bed M for cooling and thereafter transported on a cold shear roller table M to a cold shear where the material is cut to desired length and discharged in a discharging device.

The dividing shear E may be fixed after the last rolling mill stand or displaceable to be placed in close contact with the finishing rolling stands. Hereby the dividing shear may also be utilized for cropping the first or last end of the material to be coiled.

FIG. 2 shows on a larger scale the stands 9-10 in FIG. la and the sequential stands 11, 12 and 13, 14.

The rolling mill units of the finishing rolling mill plant C may be designed as shown in FIG. 2. According to FIG. 2 the rolls of the stands in the one line are designated by 50 and 51 respectively and the rolls of the stands in the other line by 52 and 53 respectively.

The hot material from stand 8 (shown in FIG. 1a but not shown in FIG. 2) is transferred below stand 10 through guide pipe 30 and repeater 31 to stand 9 where it is rolled between the rolls t), 51. The hot material is then led via repeater 32 to stand 10 in which it is rolled between the rolls 52, 53. When rolled in stand 10 it is led through the guide pipe 30 to next rolling mill unit including the stands 11 and 12, where the same rolling procedure is repeated. According to this example stand 12 is the finishing rolling mill stand for the desired dimension and since the material is to be coiled it is led through the guide pipe 30, below the stand 14 and further through the .guide pipe P to the coiler (not shown in FIG. 2). The guide pipes P are used when a stand is Omitted in the rolling process. A run out roller table L is mounted below the stands.

FIG. 3 shows on an enlarged scale a sequence of finishing stands 15, 16 and 17 18 following the stands shown in FIG. 2 and preceding the stands shown in FIG. 1b.

The rolling mill units of the finishing rolling mill plant C may be designed as shown in FIG. 3. According to FIG. 3 the rolls of the stands in the one line are designated by 50 and 51 respectively and the rolls of the stands in the other line by 52 and 53 respectively. Both of the rolling mill units consist of staggered rolling mill stands with horizontal rolls.

The hot material from a previous stand (not shown in FIG. 3) is transferred below stand 16 through guide pipe 30 and repeater 31 to stand where it is rolled between the rolls 50, 51. The hot material is then led via repeater 32 to stand 16 in which it is rolled between the rolls 52, 53. When rolled in stand 16 it is led through guide pipe to next rolling mill unit including the stands 17, 18 where the same rolling procedure takes place. A run out roller table L is mounted below the stands.

FIG. 4 schematically shows a section through the stands 15 and 16 in FIG. 3.

The rolls of stands 15 and 16 are designated by 50, 51 and 52, 53 respectively. The rolls 50 and 51 may be mounted in a conventional manner and driven by universal couplings 54 and 55 respectively and by a pinion stand 56 possibly combined with a reduction gear from a motor 57. The rolls 52 and 53 are driven in like manner via universal couplings 58 and 59 respectively from a pinion stand 60 possibly combined with reduction gear from a motor 61 via a long shaft 62. The motor 61 may, of course, be placed close to said pinion stand 60 in which case the long shaft 62 is abandoned. The rolling mill unit shown consist of staggered rolling mill stands, e.g., the rolls of the one stand are mounted higher than the rolls of the other stand. In continuous rolling where the hot material passes only between the rolls 52 and 53 it may be necessary to use the powers of the two motors 57 and 61 because the procedure is rather power consuming. This is most suitably achieved by means of a slideable coupling 63. In order to be able to utilize different roll diameters of rolls 52 and 53 when coupling 63 is in operational position the roll 52 can be driven separately via coupling 63, roll 50, coupling 54 and pinion stand 56 from the motor 57 if the coupling 59 is disconnected. In this case the roll 53 is driven via coupling 58 and pinion stand 60 from motor 61.

The run out roller table L is mounted within and below the rolling mill plant C as shown in FIG. 4'and may be provided with one or a plurality of channel sections L L The rollers 40 may be cylindrical, conical, grooved or inclined, as deemed most suitable, and be operated by separate motors 41 or in another suitable way.

FIG. 5 shows on a larger scale the stands 3-8 in FIG. 1a.

The rolling mill units of the finishing rolling mill plant C or parts thereof may be designed as appears from FIG. 5. The difference here is that the rolls of the one stand of each rolling mill unit are vertical. This design, however, does not include the possibility of coupling the motors of the two stands by simple means as shown in FIG. 4. Below the rolling 'mill units the run out roller table L is arranged.

FIG. 6 schematically shows a section through the stands 5 and 6 in FIG. 5 and illustrates how the stand 5 is driven via couplings 54, 55' and pinion stand 56 from a motor 57.

FIG. 7 corresponds to FIG. 3 but the stands are inclined in relation to their vertical line so that a circular line touching the pass line between the rolls 52, 53 touches the point where the transfer of the rolled material passes below the following stand. In order to illustrate the transferring of material to run out roller table L the guide pipe 30 is directed to the run out roller table. When using the following rolling mill unit the guide pipe has the position as indicated by 30a.

FIG. 8 more clearly shows the aforesaid circular line.

All parts comprised in the mill may be of any suitable construction. The number of the units may, of course, vary, for example the number of roll pairs, coilers, cooling beds etc. The roughing mill in the embodiment shown comcomprise several stands arranged in a line or continuously. The roughing mill may at the same time be a finishing rolling mill for material of greater dimensions. The stands of the finishing rolling mill, designated by 223, (may be more or less in number. Prior to or within the finishing rolling mill One or several open trains for longer looping formation may be provided.

A billet heated in the furnace A is rolled in the roughing mill B to desired dimension and possibly directed via the run-out roller table L to the cooling bed M or to a cooling bed of greater dimensions provided with cutting means (not shown) preferably placed between the roughing mill B and the finishing rolling mill C. For continued rolling to smaller dimension the hot bar is transferred from the roughing mill B to the finishing rolling mill C preferably provided with rolling mill stand 2 from which the hot bar is directed preferably below stand 4 through a guide pipe (not shown in FIG. 1a) and transferred to stand 3 by means of a repeater. In stand 3 the running material is rolled and then transferred to stand 4 for further rolling. Thereafter, the material is directed below stand 6, transferred by repeater to stand 5 where it is rolled, and so on. Thus, the sequence of rolling is 23-45-678-, but before rolling in a stand with an odd number x the material is led below a stand with an even number x-I-l but without rolling in that stand (x+1). Accordingly, material to be rolled is directed to stand 3 thence through guide pipes 30 (FIGS. 26), and, optionally, repeater 31, FIGS. 26, to stands 3 and 4 respectively, and so on, until the desired dimension is obtained, whereafter the finished material is directed to the run-out roller table L for delivery to the cooling bed N. Material which is diflicult to be repeated in guide pipes or repeaters, is preferably rolled in the pass line 246 (FIG. 1a) or 235 (FIG. 2), and so on, in a continuous manner. The cropped end is preferably directed into a section L FIGS. 4 and 6, whereafter it is transported to a suitable point along the run-out roller table L. The run-out roller table L between the roughing mill B and the finishing rolling mill C may be of the usual open type. The run-out roller table L after the finishing rolling mill C must be constructed according to established principles for braking and delivery of the material to the cooling bed M.

The guide means immediately near-by the rolls may be of conventional construction, as well as the other guiding devices and repeaters. The repeaters 31 and 32, FIGS. 26, may be of simpler construction and comprise in their most simple design a pipe bent to an angle of substantially 180 and widened in the loop control part in the direction of the loop. When transferring the hot bar into such a repeater, the first end follows the outer edge of the pipe and enters the entry guide of the following stand. The speed of said stand must be somewhat higher than that of the hot material, so that the biting of the hot material by the rolls results in a reduction of the loop. For maintaining the loop position constant, the motors of the roll pairs must be affected by loop control regulating means, for example loop control photoelectric cells of known design. The hot material, thus, must lie entirely free of the repeater Walls. When the last end of the hot material leaves the preceding stand, it is drawn in against the inner wall of the repeater when the speed is low. When the speed is high, the loop or its last end is pressed out by centrifugal force against the outer wall of the repeater. Due to the fact, that at high speed also the last end is pressed against the outer wall of the repeater, pitching is prevented which causes twice folded or flattened last ends which may get caught in the entry guides.

The repeater described may, of course, be constructed with or without cover or, in that portion of the plant where the speed is high, without inner wall.

In continuous rolling, the hot material is transferred between the stands preferably in a conventional manner in channels possibly provided with loop lifters and with means for sensing the loop position.

When the hot material according to the invention leaves the stands at a height adjusted according to the construction to the run-out roller table L, it is suitable to construct the stands inclined in relation to their vertical line in order to prevent repeated bending of the hot material, in such a manner, that a circle line drawn through the pass line of a stand inthe roll opening touches the run-out roller table immediately above the roller top of the run-out roller table L.

In order to prevent stretching of the material by continuous rolling, it may be suitable to arrange one or several stands inclined as described above, but to design the following rolling mill train inclined to the preceding train. The rolled hot material thereby follows the curved line during the transfer. When the subsequent stand bites the hot material, the material will be stretched, which can be prevented by controlling the motors of the stands within the chord height of the means for sensing the loop position.

When it is desired to maintain a fixed pass line, it is suitable to construct the stands 223 in the finishing rolling mill C for easy groove change laterally or vertically displaceable, the guide means being constructed fixed. It is simplest, however, to construct the entry guides with the transfer means displaceable, which displacement may occur manually or be mechanized.

For rolling thin strips it is desirable to construct the stands in the finishing pass line of the finishing rolling mill C as a four-high mill. This is easily achieved by changing the entire roll mounting. In cases of wider strips which cannot be turned for edging in subsequent stands or be repeated, it may be suitable to place vertical edging stands between the rolling mill trains.

What I claim is:

1. A continuous rolling mill plant for rod, wire and strip comprising several rolling mill units, each unit comprising at least one finishing rolling mill stand, said finishing stands forming an aligned train, in which the finishing stands are mounted above, along and in line with a runout roller table for a cooling bed, the run-out roller table running continuously along and below the whole length of said aligned train to said cooling bed, and in which there is provided a space immediately below the rolls of the finishing stands permitting transfer of finished material from any finishing stand to said run-out roller table.

2. A continuous rolling mill plant for rod, wire and strip comprising several rolling mill units, each unit comprising at least one finishing rolling mill stand, said finishing stands forming an aligned train, in which the finishing stands are mounted above, along and in line with a runout roller table for a cooling bed, in which plant the finishing stands are inclined towards the run-out roller table so that a circular line touching the pass line between the rolls of the finishing stands also touches the run-out roller table.

3. A continuous rolling mill plant for rod, wire and strip, comprising several rolling mill units each consisting of at least one finishing rolling mill stand, said finishing stands forming an aligned train, in which the finishing stands are mounted parallel and adjacent to a row of coiler means, the coiler means being connected with said finishing stands via guide pipes, the finishing stands being inclined in relation to their vertical line 'so that a circular line touching the pass line between the rolls of the finishing stands also touches the point Where the transfer of the rolled material passes below the following stand.

4. A continuous rolling mill plant for rod, wire and strip, comprising several rolling mill units each consisting of two rolling mill stands one of which is suitable for finishing rollings, said finishing stands forming at least one aligned train, characterized by the following combination of features, viz.:

(a) that all of the rolling mill stands are arranged in sequence for the passage of a material subjected to rolling;

(b) that the individual rolling mill stands are driven separately;

(c) that the finishing stands forming an aligned train consist of stands with horizontal rolls;

(d) that transfer of the material between the rolling mill stands of the same rolling mill unit is made by means of repeaters; and

(e) that transfer of the material from the aligned train to the other one is made below the rolling mill stands of the aligned train by means of repeaters, in which combination the finishing stands are inclined in relation to their vertical line so that a circular line touching the pass line between the rolls of the finishing stands also touches the point where the transfer of the rolled material passes below the following stand.

5. A continuous rolling mill plant for rod, wire and strip, comprising several rolling mill units each consisting of two rolling mill strands, one of which is suitable for finishing rolling, said finishing stands forming at least one aligned train, characterized by the following combination of features, viz.:

(a) that all of the rolling mill stands" are arranged in sequence for the passage of a material subjected to rolling;

(b) that the finishing stands forming an aligned train consist of stands with horizontal rolls;

(0) that transfer of the material between the rolling mill stands of the same rolling mill unit is made by means of repeaters;

(d) that transfer of the material from the aligned train to the other one is made below the rolling mill stands of the aligned train by means of repeaters; and

(e) that the rolling mill units comprise staggered rolling mill stands separately driven and so coupled that in straight continuous rolling the entire driving power can be transferred to a single rolling mill stand, characterized in that in the same rolling mill unit the upper roll of the one staggered rolling mill stand is mounted in alignment with the lower roll of the other end and that a coupling is arranged between these two rolls, the finishing stands being inclined in relation to their vertical line so that a circular line touching the pass line between the rolls of the finishing stands also touches the point Where the transfer of the stand.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS Morgan et a1 72201 Norton 72-226 George 72228 Smith 72201 Sommer 72203 George 72202 Blecker 72200 Fisk 72228 Rendleman 72228 Paterson 72202 Schulte 72201 US. Cl. X.R. 

